EU condemns 'Israel' over illegal 'Homesh' settlement order

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The European Union has condemned "Israel" over an order allowing illegal Israeli settlers to establish a permanent presence in the illegal "Homesh" settlement, north of the occupied West Bank.

The European Union said today it was gravely concerned by the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to allow Israeli settlers to return to the evacuated illegal "Homesh" settlement outpost in the north of the occupied West Bank. The Union further stressed that it was appalled by settler violence against Palestinian civilians at Ein Samiya community near Ramallah, which forced the residents out of the area in fear for their lives and the lives of their children.

In a statement, an EU spokesperson said, “The European Union is gravely concerned by and condemns the decision of the Israeli authorities to allow Israeli citizens to establish permanent presence in the outpost in Homesh in the occupied West Bank. The EU urges the Israeli government to reverse this and its decisions taken on 17 May to advance plans for more than 600 housing units in existing and new settlements in the West Bank."

“Settlements are illegal under international law... Such unilateral actions go against efforts to lower tensions on the ground," he added,

The statement also said the EU “is appalled to learn that the Palestinian community of Ein Samiya in the occupied West Bank, which comprises 172 people, including 78 children, was forced to leave their homes permanently, as a result of repeated settler attacks and demolition orders. The EU firmly condemns settler violence and calls on Israel to ensure accountability.”

It is worth noting that the chief of the Israeli military’s Central Command inked an order, on Thursday, that permits illegal Israeli settlers to invade the "Homesh" illegal settlement near Nablus, paving the way for a formal illegal settlement to be built there, as per Israeli media reports.

The European Union also condemned the Israeli authorities' permission to build 600 housing units in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling for revoking the decision.

In a related context, European Union Representative to Palestine, Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff, affirmed that the town of Sebastia is an occupied Palestinian land in its entirety, and the Palestinians have the right to stay in it.

During a visit to the northern West Bank Palestinian town of Sebastia and its ancient archeological site,  he stressed that he visited this archeological site years ago but that after all these years, the situation has become worse due to Israeli measures, affirming that Europe stands with the Palestinians in their strained efforts to preserve this cultural heritage.

He added the Palestinians have the right to remain in this land, despite all Israeli measures.

"Sebastia is Palestinian land, and Israel, according to international law, is obliged not to take any action contrary to the law, noting that any Israeli measures and plans in it are in violation of international law," he tersely stated.

Burgsdorff was among a European delegation of 20 diplomats and peace activists who visited the northern West Bank Palestinian town of Sebastia and its ancient archeological site on Wednesday.

During the visit, the town's mayor Mohammad Azem tackled the crises the town is facing under the brutal Israeli occupation, most notably the archeological site.

Azem said the Israeli occupation forces and settlers' abuses intended to Judaize and occupy the archaeological area, adding that the daily atrocious attacks will exacerbate the misery of the residents.

He recalled having witnessed four settlers' attacks on villagers on Tuesday, including the seizure of equipment and the burning of crops. He advocated for international protection and opposed the occupation's attempts to take and alter the ancient site in violation of international law.

The delegation also visited the neighboring village of Burqa, where they learned of settlers repeatedly attacking locals from other settlement outposts, particularly the "Homesh" outpost.

“We are here to see what is happening, and we demand actions to confront the injustice that is happening on the ground. It is important to document what is happening and deliver the message to the world and the European capitals," Burgsdorff said.

He noted that the attempt to "legitimize" the return of settlers to evacuated settlements is a breach of both Israeli Supreme Court judgments and international law, stressing that any settlement activity, in general, is a violation of international law.

Earlier, the EU issued a statement expressing grave concern and condemning "the decision of the Israeli authorities to allow Israelis to establish a permanent presence in the outpost in Homesh in the occupied West Bank."

The statement also urges "the Israeli government to reverse this and its decisions taken on 17 May to advance plans for more than 600 housing units in existing and new settlements in the West Bank.”

It is worth noting that "Homesh" was created as an Israeli military installation on usurped private Palestinian land in 1978 and given up to Israeli settlers in 1980. It was later evacuated as part of then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's "disengagement plan" in 2005.

Under international law, all Israeli settlements are illegal, and the United Nations Security Council has condemned Israeli settlement activities in the occupied territories in several resolutions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in late February that Israeli-built settlements are "illegal" and they "must stop".

"All settlement activity is illegal under international law. And it must stop," Guterres told the UN members, adding that "at the same time, incitement to violence is a dead end. Nothing justifies terrorism. It must be rejected by all."

Read more: 'Israel' repeals law that sanctioned four West Bank settlements